Storage building construction



Sept. v19, 1961 R. D. cooPER STORAGE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original vled May 18, 1955 INVENTOR. ay @opper BY M n Sept. 19, 1961 R. D. COOPER STORAGE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 18, 1955 m, D B 0 0 n 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 U 0 0 0 00 o 1 /Q e INVENTOR. R05/ Coo/961.

fir

United States Patent O 3,000,061 Y STORAGE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Ray D. Cooper, Mountain View, Calif. (7 05 Raymundo, Los Altos, Calif.)

Original application May 18, 1955, Ser. No. 509,232, now Patent No. 2,872,048, dated Feb. y3, 1,959. Y, Divided and -this application Nov. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 775,846

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-1) This invention relates to improvements in a "storage building construction, and more particularly to means for suspending a novel framework for supporting novel drawer type book storage units. This application is a division oi my cio-pending application, Serial No. 509,232, tiled May 18, 1955, now Patent No. 2,872,048, dated February 3, 1959, which application is a continuation-impart of my application Serial No. 248,087, tiled September 24, 1951, now abandoned.

'Ihs'invention solves the problem that practically every expanding library is faced with sooner or later--the need for more book storage space than conventional storage arrangements are able to supply. Since floor area and building volume are not readily enlarged and often cann o't be enlarged at all, space must be gained by a reconstitution of the storage facilities themselves. The problem has em'sted for a long time, and many attempts have been made to meet it, but heretofore .none of these attempts proved satisfactory.

C-ne of the principal `objects lof this invention is to provide a novel arrangement enabling the storage of many m're books in the same door area and same total volume Vof stack space than was possible with the shelving heretutore in use. ln fact, my invention makes it possible to store about twice as many books in a given amount o room as could be stored heretofore. v

Another object of the invention is to achieve this remarkable increase in storage capacity Without having to reconstruct the library building, or even the stacks. The problems which must be met in achieving this second bject 'are less known and less obvious than the problems encountered in achieving the lirst object. rlhey may be better understood after a brief consideration of the two general types oi library shelving: free-standing shelving and multi-tier construction. The base of free-standing shelving rests on the door; the shelving can be moved from place to place, because it forms no part ot the supporting structure for the floors above. The load of books on freestanding shelves is supported by the oor, with the aid of the building trame. While free-standing shelving is quite practical for small libraries and low buildings, it has Inot provedV practical for large libraries; partly because it has entailed expensive construction, including very strong iloors, due to the tremendous load that the floors Vand floor beams must support.

rTo meet the load problem, most large libraries have adopted what is known vas multi-tier bookstack construction. In 'multi-tier construction the columns only of each tier support the full load of the shelving and books for their tier, equally important, the columns of each tier are in line with the columns of the tiers above 'and below, so carry the load of the iloors above, as Well as that of the books and bo'okstacks. Whe the-columns may be continuous, extending through the oors and several stories high, this is not the way lthey are normally constructed. instead, the steel columns of each tier are embedded in the concrete of their deck door and extend up in `.supporting engagement with the ceiling. Consequently, the column above transmits its pressure through-the tloor to the column directly below. This relatively inexpensive construction accomplishes the desired result: namely, supzport by the columns of practically the entire load and ,transmission of .that load down to the base or foundaamano Patented Sept. 19, 1961 tion of the building.` The deck 'oors support only foot traffic and 'other Ycomparatively light loads; therefore the floors can bemade'relatively inexpensively, the tremendous weight Of the books being carried directly on the steel columns. Since the columns for multi-tier book stacksare embedded in the oor, they cannot be moved from Yplace to place, and a problem that must be met in extending the storage capacity of existing libraries is to provide a structure that (l) uses the multi-tier columns to support the added loads and ('2) does not place any additional load on the oors.

The present invention solves this problem by using the columns already in place as the sole support for the load of books. ln fact, the book drawers and associated parts may be removed from one group of columns and re-installed on other columns in the book-stack area, and shelves may be re-installed on the columns in the areas vacated by the drawers.

Thus, another object of the invention is to provide a drawer-type of storage construction that is interchangeable, for most applications, with standard shelving.

lt should not be thought, however, that the present invention is applicable only to multi-tier construction, for it can be used with free-standing columns. Nor should it be thought that its use is coniined only to replacement of existing stacks; it is equally useful in new installations for providing more storage space per building volume.

It will be helpful in considering this invention to define some of the terminology employed in library engineering. A series of shelves supported by a series of columns along substantially a single vertical plane is called a range or a storage range. Each storage range is separated from the next storage range by a range aisle, that gives access to the books on the shelves on both sides of the aisle. Perpendicular to a'series of range aisles are one or more end aisles or cross aisles or both, providing access to each of the range aisles.

The Vpresent invention is characterized by the use of a novel type of sliding drawer mounted for movement parallel to the cross aisles; All the drawers are supported by the original columns, and each range of drawers occupies the space formerly taken by two storage ranges of shelves and the range aisle in between. In other words, instead of the range aisles alternating with the column ranges, there are two column ranges for each range aisle, with the drawers extending across each group of two col'- umn ranges.

ln this invention, veach drawer extends the full width of the drawer range and is vadapted to be pulled halfway out from each side; i.e., from each of the two range aisles on each'side of the drawer range, to give access to onehalf ofv the books from one range aisle and one-half of the books from the other range aisle. This structure helps to achieve another object of the invention, which is to give effortless trouble-free operation of the drawers. Such a drawer may, and often does, hold 250 pounds of books, yet by using the principles of my invention, the drawer can be opened and closed easily and quietly with less than a three-pound pull. I also provide novel latch means for preventing the drawers from overrunning their course when they are closed, so that they do not 'slide out into the other range aisle.

While some of the main problems have been mentioned and `some of the principal objects have been specified, the invention solves many other problems and achieves other objects. For example, the spacing of the height of the drawers relative to each other is fully adjustable to the various sizes of books.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the vfollowing detailed description taken with accompanying drawings forming -a part of this specification.

matic in nature, showing a portion of a multi-tier library.y

stack having one level constructed according to the principles of the present invention, and standard book shelving installed on two other levels, illustrating how the present invention adapts itself to existing installations and is convertible with standard shelving.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a tier of bookstacks constructed according to ythe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the installation of one tier of drawers between two pairs of columns, with most of the drawersV removed in order to show the construction better.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the bottom end of the tier of FIG. 3.

' FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the means preventing over opening of a drawer; and

VFIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal view showing the means to prevent the drawer going past closed position. Y

AFIGS. 1 and 2 show a portion of a library provided with multi-tier book-stacks. On each level a plurality of columns are disposed in ranges and extend from the oor to the ceiling of each tier. The lower ends of the columns 20 for the bottom tier A are embedded in or secured to a oor 21, and their upper ends are embedded in and support a ceiling 22, which is also the oor of the next tier B. There, the columns 20 are embedded in their floor 22 and are embedded in and support the ceiling 23, which is the oor of tier C above.

Each column 20 of each upper tier'is directly in line with a column 20 of the tier below, so that so far as the resolution of forces is concerned, the columns 20 give the same result as a continuous column (cf. FIG. 4).

In the conventional book-stack on tier B, the columns 20 support double-faced shelves 24, which provide a series of ranges 25, 26, and 27, etc., extending transversely in FIGS. l and 2 with range aisles 30, 31 and 32, etc., alternating between the ranges. Y Access `to the range aisles 30, 31 and 32 is gained from a cross aisle 33. Note that the shelves 24 hold only two rowsrof books 34, one on each side, and that only two rows are accessible from each range aisle 30, 31, and 32.

The extra load storage arrangement of the present invention is shown on tier A. It utilizes exactly the same arrangement of columns 20, but the load storage members or drawers 40 span what had been every other range aisle 31, the drawers being arranged in ranges 41, 42 and leaving half as many range aisles 30 and 32. Each drawer 40 is so constructed that it can be opened from both sides, i.e., from either of the two range aisles and 32 between which it lies. Each drawer 40 opens only half way into any one range aisle 30 or 32, since the books 34 on the other half ofthe drawer 40 are accessible from the other range aisle 32 or 30. It should now be apparent how the present invention doubles the storage capacity of the illustrated stacks.

Use of the book drawers 40 is no more dithcult than use of the shelves 24. The user locates the proper drawer 40, using the index cards 43 and 44 on the front face 45 of each drawer 40 to help him. If the book he wants is indexed on a left-hand card 43, he stands on the left side of the drawer. 40 when he opens it; ifthe book is indexed on a right hand drawer 44, bestands on the right side. When he pulls Yout the drawer 40, he im# mediately has before him the row 46 of books which 4 drawers 40 span what would be a range aisle 31 in shelving construction, and access to them is had from the range aisles 30 and 32. In multi-tier construction, columns (e.g., 20a and 20h) are normally spaced approximately 3 feet apart in the same range, and approximately 5 feet separates Vthe column ranges 25 and 26. The 3-fo0t width means that it is advisable to install rtwo tiers 47 andr48Y of drawers 40 between successive columns 20a and 20h or 20c and 20d of the same range, and this is to be done, it willbe remembered, without installing any new columns or other members that would place any load on the floor 21, which,.it.will be assumed, has been constructed to support only foot traffic and relatively light weights. The separation and central support of parallel tiers 47 Yand 48 is provided by a strap like center sup# port 50 suspended from a load equalizing and distributing beam 51, which in turn is attached to and supported by the columns 20. For example, the beam 51 may be attached to the columns 20' by suitable screws 52, and the center support 50 may be secured to the beam 51 by a bracket 53 which is bolted to both the beam 51 and the center support 50. The two Ystrap like center supports 50 are parallel to the columns, and the lower ends 54 are spaced above the deck oor, a short distance such as about 1A" 21 (see FIG. 4), while the columns 20 are imbedded in the concrete oor 21 and rest on broad footing plates of suitable size if they are on the bottomA level; otherwise, bearing plates 35 are provided between the upper columns and the columns immediately below.

VThe columns 20 are normally provided with perforations 55 for the reception of adjustable brackets 56 which' in turn support the shelvesl 24 (FIG. 1). This is taken advantage of by utilizing a similar bracket 57 with de-` tents 58 which it into the column slots 55 and 'support one side of a frame 60 for each drawer 40. 'Ihe opposite (inside) side of each frame 60 is secured by b'olts 61 or by a clip to the center support 50. When two drawers 40 of each drawer tier 47, 48 are on the same level, as is usually the case, the same bolt will support the centerward side of the two frames 60 on the center support 50.`

'I'he frames 60 themselves comprise two parallel side members 62, 62 extending lengthwise across what was the range aisle 31 and braced by a transverse member 63 at each end and a transverse member 64 at the center. The end transverse members 63 are each provided with an upturned ange portion 65.

Latch or stop means are provided on the drawers to prevent opening past the mid point, and to prevent push` ing the drawer past the closed position into another aisle when closing. For preventing over opening, I provide a strike member mounted on a reenforcing member 84 attached to the bottom 81 of the drawer 40. The strike member 85 engages the transverse member 63 when the drawer 40 is about half open to Vprevent further opening of the drawer 40.

Adjacent each end of the drawer 40 I provide a latch bracket 91 on the underside of the bottom 81 of the drawer. A pin `92 mounted in the bracket 91 pivotally supports a latchrbar 93. The latch bar 93 has a forwardly projecting end 94 and is gravitationally biased to enf gage a portion 95 operatively connected wit-h the handle 90, slidably mounted by means of slots on the drawer front or end 45. A portion ofthe forward end of the latch bar 93 normally engages the ange 65. A tail 97 on the latch bar 93, to the rear. of the pivot pin 92, engages a pin 96 on the bracket 91. When it is desired to open a drawer 40, the handle 90 is raised by sliding upwardly on the drawer front 45, lifting the latch bar 93 away from the ange 65. A forward pull on the handle 90 then opens the drawer.

While I have described the invention as pertaining to a library structure, as set forth in my aforesaid Patent No. 2,872,048, it is in nowise so limited. The drawers 40 can be frames or-shelves to carry any load in dead storage. The function in the structure of this invention is the novel arrangement of structural units whereby great loads are transferred to the building foundations through the building frame work. By such an arrangement the floors need be designed only for nominal live loads.

The structure defined in my aforementioned patent is designed primarily to adopt present buildings for greater storage capacity without placing additional load on the oors. The present invention is intended as the design for a storage building structure adapted to carry great loads from the foundations without increasing floor load carrying capacity.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and `applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

I claim:

1. In a storage building having a plurality of ranges of permanently iXed vertical structural columns supporting a plurality of iioors and extending therebetween, said floors being each constructed and arranged to support and hold a normal load of foot trafic, and said columns providing the sole supporting means for each floor and the support for substantial storage loads between said oors; the improvement comprising providing a plurality of load equalizing and distributing cross beams and connecting the opposite ends of each such beam respectively to adjacent columns of each range line just below each oor above the bottom oor, providing a plurality of strap-like load supporting members, and connecting the upper end of each such strap-like storage load supporting rember to a cross beam substantially midway between each pair of columns of each range to freely depend from a said beam parallel to said columns, each of said strap-like supporting members being of a length less than the distance between opposed oors and having its lower free end terminating short of the oor toward which it extends, said ranges comprising a series in which each two adjacent ranges comprise a pair of ranges, a plurality of pairs of horizontal substantially rectangular load storage members arranged in tiers in vertically spaced relation on each side of said depending strap-like members and between columns of alternate pairs of ranges, means slidably supporting the parallel sides of said load storage members respectively from said columns and from said depending strap-like members in spaced relation to the floor, whereby each series of tiers of load carrying members bridges only alternate pairs of ranges providing traiiic aisles between said pairs of ranges into which said load carrying frame members may be selectively projected from said alternate pairs of ranges.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the means slidably supporting the parallel sides of the load storage members comprises pairs of rectangular frame members, each having one side thereof connecting adjacent columns of different ranges in alternate pairs thereof, and the opposite side thereof connecting two straplike load supporting members in alternate pairs.

3. In a building structure, a plurality of oors, a ser-ies of columns extending vertically and being -arranged in substantially parallel ranges, each range and its next adjacent range comprising a pair of ranges, the columns constituting the sole support of the oors, means for carrying dead storage loads to the foot of the columns comprising beams adjacent the lower surface of each -oor above its irst, each beam connecting two adjacent columns of a range, load supporting members suspended -from each beam between the successive columns of each range and terminating short of the oor, load carrying means tying together the columns of alternate pairs of ranges and the load supporting members of each such pair of ranges, said load carrying means being arranged in spaced apart vertical tiers in side by side relation, the arrangement providing traffic aisles between such alternate pairs of ranges.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

